ROASTED ONIONS AND BUTTERED BEETS WITH BLUE CHEESE

I was putting together a basket for a fundraiser, and on a whim, contacted a local liquor store for a wine to complement the pizza theme. I was given several to choose from, and unable to choose just one, I decided to take them all home to try.
We had pizza delivered for dinner that very night, and I roasted onions and buttered beets to accompany the pies, and one of the exciting red wines.

ROASTED ONIONS AND BUTTERED BEETS WITH BLUE CHEESE

1 onion, unpeeled, root and top trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper
1 beet
2 ounces of blue cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
balsamic glaze

Heat oven to 400F.
Coat the onion with 1 teaspoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet.
Wrap the beet in foil. Place on the baking sheet with the onion and roast until the vegetables are tender when pierced with a knife, about 45 minutes. Let the beet cool in the foil. Let the onion cool slightly, then halve lengthwise and discard the dried outer layers. Peel the beet and chop into 1/4 inch pieces.
Heat the broiler. Spread open the onion layers slightly and return to the baking sheet. Drizzle each onion half with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, season and broil until the edges darken, about 3 minutes. Divide between 2 plates. Sprinkle with the blue cheese.
In a saucepan, bring the beet and 1/4 cup water to a simmer, season with salt and pepper. Add the butter, cook, swirling, until the sauce is thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
Spoon the beet over the onion. Top with the walnuts, green onions and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine, January/February 2013
www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/‎